How to find the IMEI number on any phone
The IMEI is the number every phone check starts with — blacklist, carrier lock, warranty, model. Here is where to find it on any phone, including one that will not switch on.
The universal way: dial *#06#
Open the phone app and type *#06# as if it were a number. Most phones show the IMEI on screen immediately, without pressing call. Dual-SIM phones show two IMEIs; either one identifies the device.
On an iPhone
Settings › General › About, then scroll down to IMEI. Press and hold the number to copy it. Newer iPhones also print the IMEI on the SIM tray; older ones (iPhone 6 and earlier) have it engraved on the back.
On a Samsung or other Android
Settings › About phone › Status › IMEI information (the exact path varies by maker; searching 'IMEI' in Settings finds it). It is also under the battery on phones with a removable back, and on the label of the box.
When the phone will not turn on
The original box has the IMEI on its barcode label. Your carrier's account page or app lists the IMEI of the device on the line. On an iPhone, the SIM tray has it. If you have synced it with a computer, iTunes or Finder show it under the device summary.
What to do with it
With the IMEI in hand, the checks worth running before buying or selling are free: blacklist status, the exact model the IMEI belongs to, and for Apple devices Find My iPhone and warranty.
Run the checks this guide talks about
Questions people ask
Is it safe to share my IMEI?
For a check, yes — an IMEI on its own cannot be used to access your phone or account. Do not post it publicly, because a stolen phone's IMEI can be cloned onto another device.
What is the difference between IMEI and serial number?
The IMEI identifies the cellular radio and is used by carriers; the serial number is the maker's own identifier. Apple checks accept either; carrier checks need the IMEI.
Why does my phone have two IMEIs?
It has two SIM slots (or a SIM and an eSIM). Each radio has its own IMEI. Use either.
Can an IMEI be changed?
Not legitimately. Changing an IMEI is illegal in most countries precisely because it is how stolen phones are laundered.